Searching for Captain Wentworth - Chapter Fifteen

Charles
came to claim his dance. I needn’t have worried about notknowing what to do, though I began to think that hours spentwatching Colin Firth dancing Mr
Beveridge’s Maggot were notgoing to do me a
lot of good. This dance was really energetic, morelike the country dances I’d learned at school. Fortunately, only onecouple started at a time, which gave me a chance to watch whatthey were doing. William Glanville and Emma led the dancing andas I tried to memorize the steps and figures, Charles demanded myattention.

‘Do you
enjoy dancing, Miss Elliot? I must admit, it is myparticular delight and the activity I miss most when I am away atsea. Indeed, whenever and wherever we disembark I will alwayshead to the nearest assembly as soon as I can. No matter how tiredafter a voyage, a night of dancing always increases my spirits. Mysister Jane always laughs at me about it, but to tell you the truth, sheis just the same.’

‘I enjoy
dancing very much,’ I replied truthfully, but had tosuppress a smile when I thought how shocked he would be by thedark nightclubs I knew where not only the music was very loud, butwhere a partner might take you closely in his arms. Yet, somehow,looking at his expression, I had a feeling that if Charles Austenwere suddenly catapulted into the twenty-first century, he wouldquickly get used to the idea. But thinking about my own time wasno good, I had to prove myself in his, and I knew that I desperatelydidn’t want to let him or myself down.

All I
could hope was that I wouldn’t disgrace him. I needn’thave worried; Charles took command. That air he had, a naturalconfidence in his own ability, coupled with charm that positivelyglowed from within, shone through even more so on the dancefloor. All eyes watched us, which was unnerving, but once I feltconfident about the steps and figures, I was able to really enjoymyself. Once or twice our eyes met. I had that feeling ofindescribable excitement again. It felt fantastic and I hadn’texperienced that in such a long time, though I scolded myself formy ridiculous behaviour. What on earth was I doing? I waspractically flirting with Jane Austen’s brother! But when Charleswhispered that my dancing was wonderful, I felt I might burst withpride. I hadn’t thought it would be so energetic or exhausting and Iwas glad when it was the turn of the other couples to lead the wayso I could get my breath back.

It was on
one of these occasions that I spotted Jane on theother
side of the room. She really had a talent for dancing. Nimbleon her feet and so graceful, she skipped and smiled wreathing herway down the set. But, as I watched her laughing, her eyes brightsparkling, all of a sudden her expression changed and her bodylanguage conveyed more than any words could say. She froze andher darting eyes clouded in recognition at the tall, fair-haired manstanding next in line to dance with her. He was clearly making hernervous. I couldn’t see him well enough to make out individualfeatures, but I could see he was very good-looking. I saw Janestudying the floor intently before she looked up to flick her headthe other way, thus avoiding his lingering glances. There was amoment of hesitation; a clear delay, and a faltering behind the beatof the music for just a split second before she allowed him to takeher hand and when she did, that was when I saw the sparks fly.They held each other’s gaze, Jane’s head tilting at an angledisplaying her long white neck. It was as if they were joined by aninvisible cord and for a long time they did not take their eyes fromone another. Not a word passed between them, but every glancespoke volumes. In the next second, I saw her raise her chindefiantly and as she gaily danced along the line as if nothing hadhappened, I noticed neither one of them looked back or sought theother out again. You would have thought they were strangers, yet Iknew I was not mistaken. If they were not lovers now, I was surethere had once been a very strong attraction. Though neither hadspoken to the other, I had no doubt they knew each other intimately.

My
attention elsewhere, I nearly missed my step. Thankfully,Charles saved the day, grasping my hand and sending a frisson ofpleasure coursing through me. By the end of the dance, my cheeksflamed, my breath taking a few moments to steady. Charles, ofcourse, looked very cool. His slightly heightened colour made himlook more handsome than ever and, unlike me, he seemed to be nomore out of breath than when we started.

After the
dance finished, I sensed neither of us wanted to partstraight away.

‘Thank
you, Miss Elliot,’ he said at last, touching my armbriefly, but enough to send a little shock of desire running throughmy veins, ‘it is rare to find a partner who dances with such graceand ease.’

I was so
pleased. ‘The delight was all mine, LieutenantAusten.’

‘I hope
you will not think me presumptuous to ask foranother.’

‘I would
love to dance with you again,’ I said, even knowingthat although I’d got away with it this time, I might not do so asecond time. It was a risk worth taking, and however much I toldmyself I should not dance with him again, I knew there was nothingI’d rather do.

The
musicians were tuning up again. Lieutenant Austenbowed and
I curtsied as prettily as I could. He was about to take myhand again when we were rudely interrupted.

‘Miss
Elliot, what a delight it has been dancing with yoursister. And now I hope you will enjoy our promised dance to whichI have so looked forward.’

Mr
Glanville took my hand. It was done so swiftly that Icouldn’t protest. Charles’s expression altered, he no longer smiled,and after a curt acknowledgement he immediately walked away. Icould only trust that he would come to my rescue later on, but allhope vanished when he didn’t turn to look in my direction orreassure me in any way. As I walked to the floor with Mr GlanvilleI saw Emma glaring angrily, her lips pressed together in an anxiousattempt not to reveal her true feelings. I silently mouthed anapology, but she didn’t want to see that I wished to be anywhereelse but dancing with him or holding his hand that gripped mine fartoo tightly. Doing all I could to put him off, I avoided his eyes andhis questions, but he seemed as keen as ever.

‘You have
been hiding yourself, Miss Sophia,’ he said, ‘and itis a great pity for it is rare to find such a dancer to complementone’s own abilities. I should never boast of my own talent fordancing, of course, but my friends tell me of their envy. SirArchibald Anson, a very dear acquaintance, declared he shouldnever wish to be caught in a quadrille alongside me for fear ofbeing put at a disadvantage. And he, my dear, has had lessons fromthe great Mr Wilson himself!’

‘I have
little experience in dancing, Mr Glanville, and am aslikely to tread on your toes as the next young lady,’ I answered,determined at once to show how very bad I could be. I hesitated onthe next call, managing simultaneously to jump onto his gleamingslipper and smile as if I was totally unaware that I’d committedsuch a dreadful crime. Watching him wince had me biting my lip,and at least Emma looked placated for a second or two. But neitherignoring him nor abusing him seemed to stop him being as attentiveas ever. As the last note struck I ran away, conscious that he wasabout to repeat his request to dance again. I thought he mightfollow me, but fortunately, Emma was waiting. She looked furiousand wishing to steer clear of her, I dashed away losing myself in thethrong.

The
ballroom was very crowded and it took some time tosqueeze past the multitude of people who stood at the sidesobserving the dancers. I didn’t quite know where I was going; thecard room was full of people and I just wanted to be on my own. Iwas making my way along the corridor in the crush of people whenI caught sight of Jane. Trying to reach her I was swept along, myfeet hardly touching the ground as the crowds surged in twodirections. Spotting a gap, I slipped and dodged my way throughuntil I almost caught up and was about to call her name when Inoticed she was with the same man she’d been dancing with earlier.

He was
urgently whispering something in her ear though she didn’tlook at him or communicate in any way. I couldn’t see theirexpressions, only the backs of their heads. There was a flash ofmovement, their fingers brushed with lightning speed, and Iglimpsed a piece of paper pass between them before they abruptlyseparated, she to the ballroom, and he to the card-room.

I didn’t
know what to think. I couldn’t help feeling curiousabout the reasons why they couldn’t talk to one another openly, butit was none of my business, and I decided I must put anyspeculation out of my head. There could be all sorts of reasons whyJane and a handsome young man were corresponding in such aclandestine way, and then told myself off for imagining that a loveaffair must be the reason.

Opening
up the pair of double doors to my right I decided totake a chance and found myself in the tearoom, which was empty.Preparations had been made for the influx of thirsty dancers whowould be arriving within half an hour to take tea. I sat downamongst the tables scattered with teacups and closed my eyessavouring the peace and quiet. The sense of relief at having escapedwas sublime until I heard the door scrape open.